50/50

2011 Aldermanic Election

An example of storefront windows all over the 49th Ward

Brian White on the 49th Ward

Check out Brian's website at www.brianwhite2011.org

Where is this election going?

Dear 49th Ward Candidates for Alderman

Dear Bill

Here's my question for Joe Moore's challengers, and who I vote for will depend on their answer to this. Feel free to publish, with my name attached, if you like.

- Bill




Dear 49th Ward Candidates for Alderman:

For residents of the southeast corner of Rogers Park, where a once-thriving shopping street has mostly been reduced to vacant lots, there is one big question that will determine how we vote against Joe Moore:

As Alderman of the 49th Ward, how will you deal with Loyola University?

Joe Moore has long given Loyola whatever it asks for, including more than $30 million in TIF funds to fix up a campus building. While no one would say that Loyola isn't important--it's an economic engine for the area--Loyola is also a force for blight.

Look at the west side of the 6500 block of North Sheridan Road. Heading north from the El Station, we have McDonalds and a branch bank (building owned by Loyola), vacant lot (owned by Loyola), an empty storefront (leased for 99 years by Loyola, driving the street's only cafe, Beck's Bookstore, out), vacant lot (owned by Loyola) Bruno's (only lot not owned or leased by Loyola), Carmen's (building owned by Loyola), two vacant lots (owned by Loyola).

Loyola has taken a thriving commercial strip and blighted it. When they tore down the beautiful buildings at the SW corner of Albion and Sheridan, the student paper reported that they had to be demolished because it would cost too much to bring the buildings up to code. Well, who the hell owned them and neglected them till they were below building code standards? Loyola. This is their bait-and-switch: they let things get run down, then cry "Blight!" Loyola is essentially a slumlord.

The Granada Center and the ludicrously-named "Morgan at Loyola Station" are both Loyola properties (the latter on a 99 year lease to the developer). They're full of empty storefronts and national chain stores instead of local businesses (the relocated cafe-less Beck's being the only exception). Study after study shows that local businesses leave much more money in the local economy than national chains do--but only national chains can afford the high rents charged for new construction. (You have read Jane Jacobs The Death and Life of Great American Cities, haven't you?) It's simply astounding that Loyola students, staff and faculty (and neighbors) have to go down to Granville (Metropolis) to find a decent cup of coffee. The 6500 block of North Sheridan should be a bustling student-shopping strip, with quirky restaurants, bookstores, cafes, boutiques, as it once was--until Loyola bought up buildings and refused to give commercial tenants long-term leases. It's no secret that if they ever managed to buy (or TIF) Bruno's, they'd demolish the whole block and build another concrete monstrosity.

So, how will you handle Loyola? Will you bend over backwards for them as Joe Moore has, or will you stand up to them?

Yours truly,

Bill Savage, lifetime resident of the 49th Ward, Loyola Alum (College of Arts and Sciences '86, Summa Cum Laude), and voter who has never missed an election.

A relevant comment

Joe Moore has had 20 years to make an impact on this community. Unfortunately, it seems that every initiative for which he is taking credit either had very little to do with actual efforts by Joe or required at least a decade to make happen. He boasts about things like his ban on foie gras and participtatory budgeting to create murals and dog parks while our streets are still run by gangs and drug dealers, our housing stock is declining and we have yet to attract the kind of businesses we need.

In my opinion, he hasn't actually achieved much of anything that has really made a real difference in our ward.

In truth, Rogers Park is still floundering instead of thriving. After 20 years, that should not be the case.

Just like it was time for Mayor Daley to step aside and make room for new dedication and new thinking, I believe it is time for us to let someone else succeed where Joe has consistently failed.

I believe we have all had enough of Joe's old school Chicago politics of trading favors, making a living off of developer money, bullying those who see through his B.S. and not delivering the meaningful ward services our residents deserve.

I've been very impressed by Brian White's career dedication to public service. He seems educated, committed to our ward and capable of making the kind of difference that Old School Joe frankly cannot.

After 20 years, Joe has done little more than coast through the job, only showing up every 4 years to keep his pay check.

I'm thinking most of us in Rogers Park are ready for new thinking and an alderman who will take the job more seriously.

- Hugh

For 49th Ward Alderman

I sent members of the Rogers Park in 1,000 Words mailing list this survey:


I would like to know what you feel about the current candidates for 49th Ward Alderman. Thank you, - Bill Morton



Here are the responses:

Good Morning Bill, Hope you had a good Thanksgiving and that you've been well. As for the candidates, I know Blane and Brian personally and know nothing about Ben. Both Blane and Brian are passionate about improving the community, understand the issues and could provide much better leadership than Joe. That said, I committed to supporting Brian many months ago when he first considered running. I also believe Brian has a good base of support that can give Joe a run for his money.

I don't know the candidates at all. I used to be against him, but I really like the participatory budgeting. So not sure what input to give, but tell me more?

Hey Bill, I believe Blane Roberts and Brian White, both of whom are good friends of mine, would both provide a welcome blast of fresh air in local political leadership. Neither is perfect, but considering the status quo, it’s a no brainer.

Moore will win handily in 2011; no run-off this time.

Bill, I haven't given them much attention so far. Who all is running? I know of Roberts, Meyers and White but they're not getting big press. One I can speak of is Brian White. Active and outspoken, he's someone you'll run into in the neighborhood. He targets Joe Moore and I've seen them at a meeting, bickering. Hah. Let's hope the other candidates similar mix it up...

I'm afraid I don't actually know who the candidates are.

I'd rather not comment on the crop running.

Bill, Other than despising Joe Moore, I have no opinion. Haven't seen enough coverage. Isn't at least one a stalking horse for Joe?

Hi Bill. Still learning about them. I have trouble believing that any of these guys can beat Joe Moore. I should know quite a bit more in the next week or two.

Haven't had time lately to follow races I can't vote in. Tell me about them.

Hi Bill: I think brian white is best. brianwhite2011.org.


There is your unedited word on the street.

- Unbiased reporting by Bill Morton